hi,
me and my girlfriend are both 16 and i wanted to ask. . . (If anyone knows)

where to go to get housing
how to go about it
and all the other stuff involved


THANKYOU in advance .... Rob

http://www.connexions-direct.com/index.cfm?go=Housing

this might be useful for u to have a look at. it tells u everything about renting a flat to what housing benefits u are entitled to, depending on ur circumstances. have a browse around on the website, it has some good stuff

It depends on whether you want to rent privatly or through the council.

For private landlords you need to go to an estate agent - not all deal with lettings but most will or you can look in your local paper.

They will probably want to run a credit check and know details of your employment & get references. You almost always have to pay a deposit which is roughly the same amount as your first months rent to cover any damage to the property. If you keep it in good order though then you will get this back when you leave. If you rent through an agent you also usually have to pay fee's for the credit check and the agent which I think is usually around £100 to £150.

For the council, most will let you apply for housing online but for some you have to go into the nearest office and pick up a form. They're very long!! It will ask you about your circumstances and they will grade you according to how much you need the property. Priority is given to the homeless or those about to be made homeless, especially if you have children. Unfortunatly they don't give you priority if you're pregnant - only once the baby is born. They also won't give you priority if you make yourself homeless. The bottom of the waiting list are usually people living in accomadation which the council thinks is suitable & then you can be in for a very long wait - in some cases years.

They normally take about a month to process your claim and put you in a band according to your need. I can't remember the name of the top band but then it's gold, silver and bronze I think.

im sure you have to be 18 for council? might depend on area tho.

You don't have to be 18 but for under 18s there has to be a high priority/need.

I had my first place just after I was 17 - I was from 16 in temp accomadation.

Go to the council! Your circumstances will be reviewed - baby on way, current housing, over crowding, etc.

Council is your best bet...renting private is damn expensive...trust me im doing it now and the thought of how much money has gone towards the estate agents, admin fees, credit checks, rent make me sick! But i really had no choice as council refused to help me till i became homeless...however i was not willing to be let things get that far. Goodluck x

I believe since you are both under 16 you will have trouble finding a tenancy. However, I think you should go to the council to get some advice or as someone suggested, Connexions.

thankyou for your replys i might go down to a connexions office and see what they say as i know a worker there